Simultaneous use of peroxygen and olefin compound in odor reduction

Abstract

Disclosed is a process for the treatment of a plant fluid effluent containing odor compounds including an alkyl mercaptan or an alkyl thiol, an amine compound, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and mixtures thereof by contacting the plant effluent in either a counterflow or cocurrent flow process. In the process, the effluent is contacted with an aqueous solution comprising a peroxyacid compound and one or more essential oils. When contacted with the peroxyacid, odor compounds in the effluent are oxidized and converted from the gaseous phase into a chemically modified highly aqueous soluble phase in the aqueous treatment. In this way, odor removal from the gas is preferred and odor compounds are efficiently transferred into the aqueous treatment solution. The use of such a process produces a significant improvement in odor quality index as measured by a conventional process using an expert panel when compared to conventional treatment methods.

Description

The invention relates to the use of peroxygen or peroxyacid compounds in odor reduction. The invention relates to removing odor compounds from an atmospheric effluent or from volumes of gas arising from the processing of organic materials. The processing can occur in large processing plants or in small loci such as kitchens or doctors offices. More specifically, the invention relates to an odor reduction process using liquid / atmospheric or liquid / liquid processing to treat atmospheric or other similar effluent containing odor compounds. The odor can comprise organic and inorganic compounds including organic sulfur compounds, organic nitrogen compounds, organic oxo-compounds, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, etc. and mixtures thereof. Odor is reduced by means of reacting the effluent containing the odor compounds with an aqueous odor reduction compound. The odor compounds and resulting oxidized materials are then solubilized in and removed by the solvent nature of the aqueous phase. Surpri...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Surprisingly, the peroxygen is activity is enhanced by the olefin compound and is not destroyed by reaction with the olefinic unsaturation or essential oils at a rate that interferes with oxidative odor reduction. In contrast, chlorine or chlorine dioxide as used in the prior art are incapable of surviving contact with olefins as they rapidly lose their oxidizing capacity. Using a combination of a peroxyacid and an olefin, surprisingly, allows the olefin to behave as an odor chemical reactant that augments the oxidative capacity of the peroxyacid; especially towards nitrogen and sulfur containing malodorous compounds.

Further, the invention may also be found in a process for removing an odor from a liquid effluent, the process comprising contacting the liquid effluent comprising an odor component with an aqueous peroxygen treatment composition and one or more olefin compounds, forming a combined effluent and aqueous treatment composition having reduced odor; and removing at least a portion of the combined composition.

Further, not only does the peroxygen compound (a peroxyacid such as peroxyacetic acid) result in the oxidation of odor components into freely soluble materials that remain in the aqueous phase, we have found that the use of such an acidic material results in the absorption of organic bases such as ammonia and amines resulting in the effective scrubbing of these compounds from the atmospheric effluent material. Additionally, it is now shown that the combinations of peroxyacids and an olefin allows for simultaneous masking and enhanced malodor removal. In large part the process is designed to favor the mass transfer of odor compounds into the aqueous treatment.

Problems solved by technology

In contrast, chlorine or chlorine dioxide as used in the prior art are incapable of surviving contact with olefins as they rapidly lose their oxidizing capacity.

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